Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele has strongly refuted allegations suggesting he was involved in a physical altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The claims, initially reported by controversial journalist Jackson Ude, stated that Bamidele and Akpabio engaged in a fistfight at the Senate cafeteria on Wednesday. Ude, who has been known to publish contentious stories on social media, sparked public interest with these accusations. However, Bamidele was quick to respond, categorically dismissing the story as “fake news” and advising Nigerians to disregard the misinformation.
In an official statement released to the press, Bamidele’s team expressed dismay over what they described as a baseless and fabricated story aimed at stirring division within the Nigerian Senate. “Our attention has been drawn to fake news currently being circulated on the X handle of one Jackson Ude, a known serial blackmailer and cash-and-carry journalist,” the statement began, underscoring Ude’s history of releasing sensationalist news. The statement further clarified that there was no altercation of any kind, either verbal or physical, between Bamidele and Akpabio.
Bamidele took the opportunity to emphasize his dedication to peaceful discourse and civil interaction in his political career, noting his longstanding commitment to these principles. “For the record, it is a verifiable fact that Senator Bamidele has never been involved in physical assault in over two decades of his political trajectory,” the statement continued. Bamidele highlighted his record from his early days leading the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) as President, asserting that he has consistently avoided any form of physical conflict, even during the challenging years of his youth.
According to Bamidele, the claims were a calculated effort to create unrest and mistrust within the Senate, which could, in turn, destabilize the broader political landscape. “We are aware that the fake news is meant to cause disaffection within the Senate and, by extension, heat up the political system,” Bamidele explained. His response underscored a belief that misinformation campaigns like this can undermine public trust and create unnecessary tension within Nigeria’s governing bodies.
In further defense of his position, Bamidele provided additional details to disprove the report. He stated that immediately following the plenary session on Wednesday, he and Akpabio, along with other principal officers of the Senate, held a diplomatic meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. YU Dunhai, and his delegation. This meeting, he said, directly contradicted the alleged fight, as it involved a collaborative engagement between the Senate leaders just moments after the supposed altercation.
Bamidele pointed to photographic evidence of the meeting, which was published in major national newspapers the following day. “To think that the Senate Leader, President of the Senate, and other principal officers of the Senate together received the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. YU Dunhai, and his delegation a few minutes after leaving the plenary on Wednesday is a significant testimony against Ude’s imagination,” Bamidele stated. The timing of the meeting, as well as its public documentation, was presented as concrete proof that the alleged incident did not take place.
Additionally, Bamidele noted that he and Akpabio were seen leaving the National Assembly premises together in the same vehicle after the session, further disproving any rumors of a conflict between them. “It is equally verifiable that the Senate Leader and the Senate President both drove out of the National Assembly premises in the same vehicle yesterday,” Bamidele’s statement concluded. This additional detail was meant to reaffirm the absence of tension between the two leaders and to counteract the divisive narrative being spread.
In closing, Bamidele urged the Nigerian public to be discerning with the information they consume, especially from sources known for sensationalism and misinformation. He emphasized the importance of unity and stability within the Senate, pointing out that such fabrications only serve to erode public trust and create unnecessary distractions from the pressing work of governance. The statement ended with a call to reject divisive rumors and focus instead on supporting constructive dialogue and genuine progress within Nigeria’s political landscape.
